Operational Overview
Like the actual invasion, this group build will start during the summer solstice, which, as you should know, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The actual invasion began 22 June 1941, the solstice this year is 21 June 2003. Close enough for me.

Operation Barbarossa was the initial invasion by the German Army into the Soviet Union. For the group build's sake, the "official" dates will be June 1941 to December 1941, since this was the proposed "end" of the operation when Russia would fall to Germany. They had planned on conquering the USSR prior to the start of the notorious Russian winter (21 December is normally the first day of winter).

There are four categories, feel free to submit as many entries in any category.

1. Armor kit built out-of-box. This is a tracked armored vehicle with no aftermarket parts; however, stretched sprue antennas and grab rails are allowed. This is to give people with limited budgets or experience an equal opportunity to participate.

2. Armor kit modified. This is a tracked armored vehicle with any aftermarket accessories or scratch built items added. Kit bashed entries fit this category.

3. Other kit built out-of-box. Any type of half-track, wheeled vehicle, fully tracked truck (i.e. RSO), soldier on horseback, wagon, towed artillery piece or other trailer built with no aftermarket parts beyond the stretched sprue.

4. Other kit modified. As above but with aftermarket accessories, conversion kits or scratch built items added.

A vehicle can be displayed as part of a diorama, on a base or by itself. The category will be whatever is done to the vehicle. Dioramas are not judged, but the vehicle on it will be. After all, this is an Armor group build and not a Diorama group build.

The Rules and Regs
Vehicles in use during this period and in theater are acceptable. If you can find historical data supporting your use of a piece of equipment, that's OK by me. Categories are listed above.